DreamWorks Animation Contributes Lossy Compression To OpenEXR 2.2

Glendale, CA – August 8, 2014 – DreamWorks Animation
(Nasdaq: DWA) today announced the contribution of code and license
of their patented, production-quality Lossy Compression Codec to
the OpenEXR standard (openexr.org). DreamWorks Lossy Compression
strategically removes information from High Dynamic Range (HDR)
floating-point images, a format common in Animation and VFX
production pipelines. The technique, invented by Principal Engineer
Karl Rasche, preserves visual quality without visible compression
artifacts, has excellent decoding performance, and reduces HDR
floating-point image file sizes to approximately the size of
fixed-range images. The compression quality has been validated by
Visual Effects Supervisors working on DreamWorks Animation feature
films.

OpenEXR creator, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) has confirmed
that DreamWorks Lossy Compression will be released in OpenEXR 2.2
on August 10, 2014 and will be API compatible with current
releases. Unlike current lossy OpenEXR compression formats,
DreamWorks Lossy Compression allows variable lossiness to balance
visual quality and infrastructure resources. Additionally, this
contribution includes a significant speedup to the commonly used
PIZ compression scheme.

“The lack of visible compression artifacts at the default
compression level is impressive, and repeated application on the
same image exhibits no further loss after the first compression.
Compared to other lossy methods in the standard, this new technique
produces higher-quality images at similar compression ratios, and
decompressing the images is very fast,” said Ed Hanway, ILM R&D
Supervisor. “We welcome the addition of the technique to
OpenEXR.”

“Images with DreamWorks Lossy Compression are stunningly high
quality, and artifact-free. Not dealing with the artifacts common
with other compression techniques has saved valuable time in our
tight production process,” said Dave Walvoord, Visual Effects
Supervisor, How To Train Your Dragon 2.

DreamWorks Lossy Compression is another instance of the
studio’s contribution toward open source software advancing
imagery technology. "The technique is an industry-leading approach
to compression, motivated by the demands of our digital production
pipeline," said Dr. Lincoln Wallen, Chief Technology Officer at
DreamWorks Animation. “It is a key example of how our artist’s
uncompromising demand for the best image quality drives technical
innovations and how we are striving to find ways to make those
innovations available to the world.”

About DreamWorks Animation

DreamWorks Animation (Nasdaq: DWA) creates high-quality
entertainment, including CG animated feature films, television
specials and series and live entertainment properties, meant for
audiences around the world. The Company has world-class creative
talent, a strong and experienced management team and advanced
filmmaking technology and techniques. DreamWorks Animation has been
named one of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” by FORTUNE®
Magazine for five consecutive years. In 2013, DreamWorks Animation
ranks #12 on the list. All of DreamWorks Animation’s feature
films are produced in 3D. The Company has theatrically released a
total of 29 animated feature films, including the franchise
properties of Shrek, Madagascar, Kung Fu
Panda, How to Train Your Dragon, Puss In
Boots, and The Croods.

About OpenEXR

OpenEXR is a high dynamic-range (HDR) image file format
originally developed by Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) for use
in computer imaging applications. Since the format’s release as
an open standard in 2003, OpenEXR has seen widespread industry
adoption and support. The file format has been maintained and
expanded by a number of key industry leaders including ILM, Weta
Digital, Pixar Animation Studios, Autodesk and others.

OpenEXR has become the industry standard for storing and working
with high dynamic-range imagery. The format has been used on
hundreds of feature films since its introduction in 1999 and is
supported in the majority of image creation software packages
available today. More information can be found at the OpenEXR
website at: http://www.openexr.com

About Industrial Light & Magic

Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), a division of Lucasfilm Ltd,
has become synonymous with groundbreaking visual effects work and
the company continues to be a recognized leader in the field. ILM,
headquartered in San Francisco, also has operations in Singapore,
Vancouver and London – the facilities work hand in hand to
produce cutting edge visual effects work for feature films and
themed entertainment. ILM has been awarded 15 Academy Awards® for
Best Visual Effects and 26 Scientific and Technical Achievement
Awards by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. To learn
more, visit ILM online at http://www.ilm.com.